The Rt. Rev. Philander Chase, D.D. was the founder and first President of Kenyon College serving from 1824 to 1831. Chase was also the first Episcopal Bishop of Ohio. This collection of his letters is kept in the College Archives and is available to researchers.
The Philander Chase letters were written in the 18th and 19th century and therefore may contain language that we understand today as harmful or offensive. You may encounter paternalist descriptions of Native Americans, racial slurs, or sexism. For more information, see our policy page.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Timothy Wiggin
3-23-1827Wiggin speaks highly of Mr. West, suggesting that his employment to the College is as promising as the purchase of the land. He gives Chase financial advice on the transfer of English funds to America and has purchased stock in the US Bank, which will be transferred to the committee of Trustees of the Convention of the Diocese of Ohio.
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Letter to G.W. Marriott
Lord Gambier
3-28-1827Lord Gambier thanks Marriott for sending him the papers about Mr. West and agrees that he will be of great service to Bp. Chase.
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Letter to Sophia Chase
Philander Chase
3-29-1827Chase praises his wife for dismissing a student who used profane language. He has distributed over 500 "Pleas" to potential subscribers in Boston and has had even more success here than in New York or Philadelphia.
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Letter to Philander Chase
G.W. Marriott
3-30-1827Marriott updates Chase on Mr. West's progress and Engravings of the College.
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Letter to Dudley Chase
Philander Chase
3-31-1827Chase thanks his brother for his support and asks for his prayers. He also updates him on the excellent progress made in Boston, having distributed more than 500 Appeals.
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Letter to Sophia Chase
Philander Chase
4-3-1827Fragment of a letter in which Chase recalls who he has dined with recently and quotes an invitation that he received from a new subscriber.
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Address by Philander Chase
Philander Chase
4-4-1827Address on behalf of raising funds for Kenyon College in Boston.
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Letter to Sophia Chase
Philander Chase
4-4-1827Chase gives a detailed log of the people he has dined with and the assistance they have contributed to his cause.
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Letter to Sophia Chase
Philander Chase
4-9-1827Chase tells his wife about his meetings with various peoples in Boston and asks her to send him more frequent letters.
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Certificate of character of George Stokes by Archbp. of Dublin
Lord Kenyon
4-11-1827Certificate of character of George Stokes by Archbishop of Dublin
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Letter to Sophia Chase
Philander Chase
4-11-1827Chase describes his meetings with various people in Boston who support his cause. He asks his wife to send more letters.
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Letter to Sophia Chase
Philander Chase
4-16-1827Chase discusses the poor performance of Mr. [Morse] and tells his wife that if he does not improve she should encourage him to find other lodgings. Chase also discusses his affairs in Salem and includes a message to be passed along to his children. He again asks why his wife has sent so few letters.
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Letter to the Ladies of St. Paul's Church, Portland
Philander Chase
4-27-1827Chase thanks the Ladies of the newly formed Kenyon Circle for their support and their first donation.
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Letter to Sophia Chase
Philander Chase
5-11-1827Chase is very excited to announce Mr. West's coming to Ohio and hopes that his presence will be very beneficial. He plans to return to Gambier soon when the cornerstone of the College will be laid and asks his wife to meet him in Mt. Vernon.
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Letter to Sophia Chase
Philander Chase
5-19-1827Chase discusses his travels from Boston to Hartford and reiterates his plans to be back in Ohio by the week after next.
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Letter to Philander Chase
G.W. Marriott
5-24-1827Marriott discusses the literary positions to be filled at Kenyon and the support for Chase's cause in England.
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Resolutions on the Ohio Trustees of Kenyon College
William Sparrow
6-8-1827Resolutions on the Ohio Trustees of Kenyon College
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Memorandum of the Articles deposited in the cornerstone of Kenyon College
No Author
6-9-1827Memorandum of the Articles deposited in the cornerstone of Kenyon College
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Certificate admitting G. M. West to the Holy Order of Deacons
Philander Chase
6-10-1827Certificate admitting G. M. West to the Holy Order of Deacons.
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Letter to Sophia Chase
Philander Chase
6-12-1827Chase is going to Gambier and on Saturday, will leave for Mr. Little's house, where he hopes to see his wife, Fanny, and Mr. Russel. He also asks her to bring the catalogue and parchment.
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Letter to Sophia Chase
Philander Chase
6-16-1827Chase introduces his wife to a new student, Daniel J. Garrison. He is leaving for Delaware and asks his wife to send his parchment, his diploma, and letters of orders.
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Certificate of the ordination of George Montgomery West
Philander Chase
6-17-1827Certificate of the ordination of George Montgomery West.
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Letter to Intrepid Morse
Philander Chase
6-17-1827Chase tells his nephew about Mr. West's ordination the previous day and tells him the West has decided to return by way of the lakes, rather than mountains. He asks Intrepid to send his sermon to Mr. Kip in New York.
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Letter of Introduction for George Montgomery West
Philander Chase
6-18-1827Letter of Introduction for George Montgomery West
